Prince William’s ‘wish’ was ‘listened to by Queen’ says insider
The Queen is known to be an avid dog lover and has owned at least 30 Welsh corgis in her lifetime. It seems William takes after his grandmother’s penchant for pets and is reported to have a new dog. This followed the death of their English cocker spaniel Lupo, whose passing was announced on social media.
The royals shared their heartbreak over losing their “dear dog Lupo” in an emotional post on the @KensingtonRoyal Instagram page.
They shared a photograph of the nine-year-old dog and wrote that he had been “at the heart of our family”.
In the post, which has been liked nearly one million times, they continued: “We will miss him so much. – W & C.”
Last month, the Daily Mail’s Royal Editor Rebecca English commented that it was touching that they wrote about their pet.
She told the Palace Confidential podcast: “They adored Lupo so much that they announced the fact that he died on social media.
Prince William and Kate Middleton are yet to announce their new puppy’s name (Image: GETTY)
Royal Family pictured: Prince William, Kate Middleton, George, Louis and Charlotte (Image: GETTY)
“I thought [it] was lovely, in Britain, we love our dogs and I think that resonated with a lot of people.”
This led Ms English being surprised by William and Kate not announcing their new arrival.
The puppy was gifted by them “shortly before” Lupo passed away and a source told that they were “besotted”.
The dog was given to them by Kate’s brother James, who posted photographs of himself with six puppies and his four other dogs.
On Palace Confidential, host Jo Elvin said there seemed to be “a shroud of secrecy over the royal pets and revealing them”.
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Prince William and Kate Middleton with their ‘beloved dog’ Lupo, who died in December (Image: GETTY)
She argued: “Surely something like owning the family dog makes them more relatable?”
Ms English responded: “Cards on the table, this really does irritate me.
“I’m long in the tooth enough to remember when Lupo first came on the scene.
“Royal aides even refused to confirm his existence, let alone his name because it was an issue of privacy.”
She claimed that “some senior royal courtiers” later admitted that “it was a bit silly” and that they “didn’t cover themselves in glory”.
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Ms English continued: “Yet, here we are in the same situation again.
“No official confirmation that they have a new puppy and definitely no official confirmation of a name, which is really strange.”
Ms English felt it was an unusual response after sharing Lupo’s death online, which was a moment that “resonated” with the public.
She continued: “I genuinely can’t understand why there is this reluctance to be honest about it.
“I’m told the name will come out, it will probably be leaked out over the course of some official engagement.
Prince Harry with Lupo, William and Kate’s dog who died age nine, in December last year (Image: GETTY)
“But I just don’t understand why they are doing that.”
Ms English continued to poke fun at the royal couple by stating that “for the record” she was the owner of a new puppy named Finnegan, known as Finn.
She added: “Yeah, you can ask me any questions about that. I’d be happy to go on the record.”
Ms Elvin pointed out that not many corgis were “making it into the royal household anymore”.
She felt that it was odd because they were “the Queen’s trademark for so long” and quipped: “Are they just out of favour now?”
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Richard Eden, the Daily Mail’s Saturday Diary Editor, said he was “a big fan of corgis” and asked his co-star if she had one.
Ms English confirmed Finnegan was a “little Labrador-spaniel cross” because she was not a fan of corgis.
She said: “They are quite nippy corgis actually, I’ve encountered the Queen’s corgis a few times.”
James Middleton shared photographs of his six new puppies – one of whom could now be with William and Kate – on Instagram.
In a post, he explained that he was “sad to see” them go and admitted he “might cry”.
Prince William and Kate Middleton have not revealed details about the new royal puppy yet (Image: GETTY)
Mr Middleton added: “But it will be with happiness as each of your new homes are bursting with love.”
The dog lover, who admitted pets had helped him with mental health issues in the past, explained that they would bring “much happiness” to other families.
Mr Middleton continued: “You might be scared at first, that’s ok. Just be yourself… Make me proud and remember to write.”
The money he raised from selling the puppies will be donated to Pets As Therapy, a charity that arranges therapy visits in care homes, hospitals and schools.
